Sound recording system



' March I, 1938.

w. G. H. Fl NCH SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM 12 Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed Nov. 30, 1936 SUNDAY FEATURE STRIPS I] S SUNDAY NOV. 22,1936

INVENTOR william gJflp i'nch ATTORNEY,

March 1, 1938. w. H H 2,109,627

. sounb RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 30, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR William 9.11. 9inch ,Xxaid ATTORNEY March 1, 1938.

w. s. H. FINCH 2,109,627

SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. so, 1956 12 Sheets-Sheet4 INVENTOR william gxfinch ATTORNEY March 1, 1938. w G H, FlNcH 2,109,627

SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 30, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 1:11:81 14 PRE AMPLIFIER 92 -95 AUDIO AMPLIFIER I 4 LOUD EAKER INVENTOR: willianl gxfinch BY z ATTORNEY March 1, 1938.

w. G. H. FlN CH SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 30, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 I INVENTOR William gni fifii'nch BY A; W

ATTORNEY w. G. H. FINCH v 2,109,627

SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM March 1, 1938.

Filed Nov. 30, 1936' 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORY wLllLam g.x $'inch ATTORN EY March 1, 1938. w. s. H. FINCH SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov; 50, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 i m W 2 1 m t y 9 011M W MW, 4% WU. m e m M 1 m INVENTOR wiltia m c 3!. 9 711611 BVY:

ATTORNEY SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Nov. 50,. 1936 INVENTOR William qxfi'ncb BY ATTORNEY March 1933- w. GIH. FINCH SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Nov. :50; 1936 INVENTOR William g.JC. %'nch ATTORNEY March 1, 1938. w. G. H. FmCH 2,109,627-

SO U ND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 30, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet l1 INVENTOR William BY: 2 E

ATTORNEY March 1, 1938.- w. G. H. FINCH SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 50/ 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOB llrtllia m ghlflfi nch BY Z 2 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlce SOUND RECORDING SYSTEM William G. H. Finch,

Coun

. Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx W, N. Y.

15 Claims.

ticularly directed to provide sound records printed integral with the comic sections which records may readily be inserted in a novel reproducing machine for obtaining an audible account of the comic action. The audible rendition of comic sections or other features of a newspaper in a simple and inexpensive manner greatly enhances the value of these features to individuals, particularly to children, who cannot read. Major advantages of this invention reside in the mechanical recitation of comic sections to youngsters as well as in providing them with further entertainment in the use of the accompanying mechanism.

In a preferred form of my invention, I print a strip containing a plurality of parallel sound sound tracks along an edge of the sheet containing the pictured story. The child severs this sound strip from thesheet and inserts it in one of the novel reproducing devices to be hereinafter described. The printing of the sound track strip upon the newspaper is similar to the printing operation of any picture in the paper. A zinc plate is formed from the original sound track and the steps of printing the facsimile of thesound tracks upon the sheet is similar to the well-known practise. I prefer to provide perforations upon the borders of the strip to more accurately define and simplify the removal of the strips. Although a single length of strip may be employed for reproduction of the feature, modifications are provided whereby a series of strips are attached end to end to form a continuous belt .of the sound .tracks. A further modification employs sound tracks arranged at an angle to the sheet which are formed into a cylindrical sheet for reproduction whereby a continuous helical scanning operation is used in the reproduction thereof. This modification may take the forms of either .a strip or sheet record.

Another important use of my present invention resides in providing long reels of sound ribbon containing the plurality of parallel sound tracks for use in reading newpapers or books to blindv people. The sound reel is similar to a moving picture reel except that it is much more economical to produce. The material of this reel is preferably opaque and may be paper upon which the sound tracks are printed by ordinary printing operations. The printing operation may also be performed photographically upon sensitive paper or film to accomplish the same results.

The sound records of my present invention may be used for quality acoustic reproduction including lengthy musical renditions. However, the widest utility of this invention resides in acoustically conveying intelligible speech. Accordingly, by limitingthe frequency response of the appa ratus to about 2200 to 2500 cycles, a slower rate of sound track scanning and simpler electro-optical design as compared to talking-moving picture apparatus will prove adequate.

The preferred scanning equipment comprises a light source focused upon the sound track and a photo-electric cell sensitive to the varying, light intensities refracted from the record. A pre-amplifier consisting of one or two stages of audio frequency amplification are associated with the photo-electric cell to directly amplify the relatively weak electrical signals generated by the photoelectric cell. Although an individual amplifier and loud speaker for the reproduction equipment may be used, the costof the apparatus may be materially decreased by connecting the output of the pre-amplifier to the audio frequency section of a radio broadcast receiver by means of a plug and jack connection. v The reproduction apparatus for the newspaper sound strips operate by frictional feeding instead of sprocket feeding. A notch is cut at a'predetermined portion of the sound strip which actuates a relay for shifting the sound strip transverse to the scanning beam'in order to bring the next adjacent sound track into scanning position. ,Where}: the strip is formed into. an endless belt, the shifting occurs at the-joint between the beginning and end of ,the belt. Accordingly, at the moment one sound track is completely. scanned, corresponding to one revolution of the endless belt, the scanning operation is continued at the beginning of the next adjacent sound track.

A single sound strip cut from a newspaper page may contain the complete story or speech corresponding to t e comic action depicted on that page. This s'pip may be pasted to form an end-- le'ss belt whic forms a plurality of adjacent continuous sound tracks. This belt; is inserted in thereproducing device. A notch, cut in the strip, initiates the successive shifting operations be- 'tweensound track scannings. By arrangingthe sound tracks at an angle to the strip, the endless belt formed of this strip will contain a continuous helical spiral connecting the individually printed parallel sound tracks. The reproducing device for such a sound strip does not require a shifting mechanism but utilizes a predetermined rate of feed for the scanning beam transverse to the sound strip. A predetermined length of the sound strip, for example equal to the standard length of a newspaper sheet, corresponds to a predetermined transverse ieed rate for continuously scanning the helical sound record.

The modification of the reproducing apparatus employing a long sound reel performs a reversal of feed direction simultaneously with the track shifting operation. When one end of the reel is reached, the feeding operation is automatically reversed and the scanning continues on the next adjacent sound track. By providing an even number of sound tracks, the reel will be wound ready for re-use.

Accordingly, an object of my present-invention is to provide novel methods for audibly portraying newspaper comic and feature sections.

Another object of my present invention is to provide a novel newspaper section containing printed sound records readily detached and reproducible for describing the continuity of action of a comic feature.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide novel methods of and apparatus for reproducing sound records printed on newspaper pages.

A further object of my present invention is to provide novel sound reproducing mechanism for automatically scanning a plurality of adjacent sound tracks of a sound strip.

Still a further object of my present invention is to provide simple, inexpensive reproducing apparatus for sound records primarily suitable for sound records which can be readily printed in a neswpaper.

These and other objects of my present invention will become apparent in the following description taken in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a preferred illustration of a comic sheet. containing a single sound strip printed along one edge of the sheet; Figure 2 illustrates the sound strip of Figure 1 severed from the sheet; Figure 3 shows the same strip formed into an endless belt ready to be inserted in the reproduction apparatus.

Figure 4 illustrates a newspaper sheet containing a plurality'of sound strips corresponding to a special feature or story; Figure 5 illustrates how these several strips are pasted together to form a long strip with continuous sound tracks; Figure 6 illustrates a preferred manner of utilizing the long sound strip by forming an endless belt and folding the strip in a compact arrangement.

Figure 7 illustrates a modified sound record form printed upon a comic section and bearing a longer story than a'single strip can contain; Figure 8 schematically illustrates how this sound chart is arrangedon a cylinder and scanned in -a continuous helical manner.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of a preferred form of apparatus for reproducing a long; endless sound strip; Figure 10 is the cross-sectional view taken. along l0l0 of Figure 9, illustrating the shifting relay switch; Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along llil of Figure 9 illustrating the details of the scanner shifting mechanism; Figure 12 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 9; Figure 13 illustrates the elastic coupling for driving the flyr-wheel to mini- Figure 15 is an elevational View of a reproduc- 5 ing apparatus particularly adapted for sound reel reproduction, mechanism; Figure 16 is a plan view of apparatus in Figure 15; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along l1-l1 of Figure 15 showing details of the film reversing and shifting mechanism; Figure 18 is an end view of the film relays and corresponds to the view taken along I8|8 of Figure 16; Figure 19 is a modification of the relay arrangement corresponding to Figure 18; Figure 20 illustrates the arrangement of the relays with respect to the film for the modification of Figure 19; Figure 21 is the cross-sectional view taken along 2I2I of Figure 16, showing details of the reverse feeding drive; Figure 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail corresponding to the view taken along 2222 of Figure 16.

Figure 23 is an end view of a modified sound reproducing apparatus of simplified construction and hand operated; Figure 24 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of Figure 23; Figure 25 is trated in Figure 23, corresponding to the section:

of Figure 25, but adapted to continuously scan the sound strip of Figure 27 without shifting operations; Figure 30 is an end view corresponding to 30-- 30 of Figure 29.

Figure 31 is an elevational view of a sound reproducing device for use with the sound sheet corresponding to Figures 7 and 8; Figure 32 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 31; Figure 33 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along33-33 of Figure 31 to illustrate the mounting of the record sheet.

The sound strips described herein contain a plurality of sound tracks arranged in adjacent and parallel relation between the parallel borders of the strip. The original sound record may be formed by any well-known photographic sound recording process. Although variable density recording may be used, I prefer to employvari able area recording for simplicity in reproduction by ordinary newspaper machinery. The parallel sound tracks may be formed by superimposing a plurality of recorded strips upon the wider strip' producing steps. The particular advantage of variable area recording resides in that a blackwhite zinc plate may be used'for printing and the reproduction from newspaper printing is more, accurate, resulting in better quality of sound.

The records corresponding to speech may be limited to a reproduction frequency of about 2200 to about 2500 cycles so that a relatively slower speed for feeding the tracks may be used.. I have found that a linear feed rate of twenty-I five to thirty feet per second gives excellent results for speech. My present invention, however, is not to be considered as limited to this speed range since lower or higher speeds ar equally feasible. a

I consider the most advantageous application of my present invention tonewspaper features where inexpensive sound records are made available to the public in connection with news, featured articles or comic strips. Figure 1 illustrates the application of my present invention to a Sun day comic sheet. However, daily comic sheets or features may equally well be substituted. Sheet I is rectangular in form and has printed thereon a plurality of drawings ll successively depicting the action of a comic character or feature. The drawings ll contain balloons l2 in which reading matter corresponding to the speech of the comic characters appears. The reading matter is. generally difiicult for youngsters to either read or interpret. My invention overcomes the necessity for assistance from older folkby providing a sound record printed upon the sheet together with the comic feature. B'y reproducing the sound record with simple apparatusthe child is told the story of the comic drawings in simple language.

I prefer to arrange the sound record near the long edge l3 of the rectangular sheet 19 in the form' of a sound strip l4 containing a plurality of adjacent and parallel sound tracks l5. For simplicity in the drawings, I onlyillustrated five tracks l5. However, it is to be understood that more tracks may be used. These tracks need only be one-eighth of an inch in width for good quality sound reproduction. A narrow strip may readily contain eight or twelve parallel tracks. However, it is preferable to standardize. the width of the strip 14 as well as the width and number of tracks 15 upon strip M in order that a uniform sound reproducing apparatus may be sold to operate with these printed records.

The sound strip 14 is printed upon sheet! simultaneously with the printing of the pictures or drawings H. The original sound record is formed as a negative upon a zinc plate. The plate is arranged together with the plates for the drawings H in the preparation of the platen for printing the sheet ID in a manner well known in the newspaper printing art. .An important feature 'of the sound record of my present invention is the provision of perforations l6 and 11 to accurately predetermine the boundary edges of the strip l4. The perforations l6 need not penetrate through the sheet l0 but may merely be indentations in the sheet formed by raised portions-of the platen. The perforation or score lines It; and I1 facilitate removal of the sound strip 14 from the newspaper page In.

Figure 2 illustrates the sound strip I4 severed from the newspaper sheet ID. A dark portion I8 is formed at one end of the strip 14. An endless band is formed of the strip I4 by pasting the end 19 ofstrip l4 on top of the dark portion l8.

The parallel sound tracks are accordingly joined into continuous parallel adjacent sound tracks. A notch .20 printed upon strip I4 is cut out as illustrated. Notch 20 actuates the track shifting mechanism to be hereinafter described for automatically and successively scanning the adjacent sound tracks.

The single sound strip 14 contains a story sufficient to explain the .antics of the comic feature I l with which it is associated. This modification of single strip representation requires a separate sound strip corresponding to strip 14 to be printed with eachcomic feature. -'I'he feature'or story which the youngster desires to reproduce is individuallysevered from the corresponding sheet and formed into a band illustrated in Figure 3. p

' A modification of single strip recording is to provide a special page 2|, such as illustrated in Figure 4,; upon which a plurality of sound strips 22 are printed'corresponding to all the comics in the newspaper. The length of the story depends upon the number of strips 22 provided. It is evident that the feature strips 22;may be used to relate special features or stories for the youngsters besides describing the comic features.

Figure 5 illustrates how the strips 22 are attached to form a long strip 23 of the individual strips 22 printedon sheet 2|. The darkened portions 24. at the beginning of each strip are pasted beneath the end of the preceding strip as illustrated in Figure 5 so that thecontiguous ends of the sound strips 22 form continuous individual sound tracks. A notch 25 is cut into the end of the long sound strip 23 for a purpose similar to that of notch 20.

. Figure 6 illustrates a preferred arrangement for utilizing the sound record 23 by'forming an endless strip 26. The strip 26 contains folds 21 so that a long strip 23 may be arranged in a compact form in a reproducing apparatus.

A modified arrangement for newspaper sound record supplements is illustrated in Figure '7 where a relatively wide sound section 28 is printed upon page 29 containing parallel sound tracks 30 arranged at an angle to the edges of the sheet 29. The angle of the sound tracks 30 is designed so that when the sound sheet 28 is severed from page 29, the contiguous ends of the tracks form 'a continuous helix. Figure 8 schematically illustrates how the sound sheet 28 is arranged in a cylindrical form so that the sound tracks 30 form a helix. I prefer to provide two dark areas 3| and 32 on opposite edges of the sound sheet 28 to facilitate mounting of the sheet upon a drum of the reproducing apparatus therefor. Suitable apparatus for reproducing the sound sheet 28 is illustrated in'Figures 31 to 33.

Figures 9 .to 13 illustrate a preferred embodimentfof a mechanism-for reproducing endless sound record 23 of Figures 4, 5, and 6. The record 23 is inserted in the machine around guide 33 between friction rollers 34 and 35, through magazine 44 and around guide pulley 36. A shoe 31 is mechanically biased by spring 38 against strip 23 in guide 33.

The length of the record strip 23-is immaterial. It is folded up with folds 21 within magazine 44; entering at the inlet 39 and passing through the outlet 40 of the magazine 44. Friction roller is driven by fly-wheel 10 at a constant speed. Follower 34 is mechanically biased toward drive roller 35 by spring 4| operating on a pivoted lever 42 supporting roller 34; The strip 23 is ac-' cordingly firmly pressed against drive roller 35 and pushed into magazine 44 and drawn at a constant speed past the scanning apparatus 43.

The scanning apparatus 43 comprises an exciter lamp 45 containing a filament 46 which is electrically heated to an intense light source. The light from filament 46 is condensed by suitable lenses through a rectangular slot 41 and focused in a narrow rectangular beam-upon a I have found that it is advisable to arrange the I light beam to impinge perpendicularly upon sound strip 23 to avoid reflected light from affecting the photoelectric cell 48. The light entering the photoelectric cell 48 is accordingly substantially all refracted light and no reflected light. The refracted light intensity varies in accordance with the corresponding sound variations in a manner well known in the art. The output of the photoelectric cell is connected to an audio frequency pre-amplifier (not shown) to generate electrical currents varying directly in accordance with the refracted light intensity. These electric currents are used to reproduce the sounds originally recorded upon sound tracks in a manner to be hereinafter described in more detail in connection with Figure 14.

When. the first sound track of the endless strip 23 has been scanned by the scanner 43, means are provided for automatically shifting the scanner 43 opposite the next adjacent track so that the scanning operation continues on the second sound track at the proper time;

The scanner 43, is mounted upon a bed plate 58 which is movable step by step by the shifting apparatus in a manner to be described in connection with Figure 111 The shifting apparatus 5| is controlled by electrical relay operated by a relay switch 52 positioned opposite the scanner beam.

Figure is a cross-sectional view across 10- lll of Figure 9 showing the shifter relay switch 52 in cooperation with the: sound record 23. Switch 52 contains a blade 53 extending against the edge of guide 33 and the: corresponding side of record 23. Switch 52 illustrated in circuit closing position corresponds to the actuated position when switch blade 53 is opposite the notch 25 of strip 23.

Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional. view taken along H--H of Figure 9 illustrating further details of the shifter arrangement. The movable scanner bed 50 is guided by a dovetail extension 54 in the frame 55 enclosing the shifter mechanism 5|. A rack 56 projects from the bed 58 and engages a pivoted double pawl 51; The scanner bed 50 is mechanically biased toward the right by a pusher rod 58 and a compression spring 53. The bed 56 is held against movement by themgagement of rack 56 with an arm. of pawl 51. The armature portion 60 of pawl 51 is normally drawn away from the relay 6 l by a biasing spring 62. The arm 63 of double pawl 51-accordingly engages a tooth of rack 56 to prevent movement of the scanner bed 56. When the switch 52 is closed in response to themotch being positioned .bed 56 due to the biasing spring 59 continuously acting thereon. When the electrical impulse is 'over the spring 62 draws armature 60 away from relay 6i simultaneously removing pawl arm 65 .and engaging pawl arm 63 with the rack 56.

The scanner mechanism 43 is accordingly shifted for a distance equal to one tooth of rack 68. Fly-wheel 18 is secured to drive shaft 66 to smooth any irregularities of motion transmitted to the drive roller 35 and the sound strip 23.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the sound reproducing apparatus illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 11, more clearly illustrating the drive mechanism. The apparatus is mounted on a baseboard 1|. An electric motor 12 preferably a synchronous motor, is connected to a. source of electrical energy by leads 13. The speed of motor 12 may be 1200 or 1800 revolutions per minute. A pulley is secured to motor shaft 14 and is belted to a larger pulley 16 by belt 11. The larger pulley 16 directly drives fly-wheel 10.through an elastic coupling 18. The elastic coupling filters out surges or other irregularities in film feeding as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along I3--|3 of Figure 12, illustrating a preferred form of elastic coupling 18. Coupling 18 consists of a plurality of leaf springs 80 symmetrically arranged about a block 81 rotatably mounted on drive shaft 66. Block 8! is rigidly secured to the hub of pulley 16 and is accordingly directly driven by motor 12 at a reduced speed ratio equal to the diametricafl ratios between pulleys 14 and 16. Lever springs 80 are suitably mounted about the periphery of block 8|. The projecting ends of leaf springs 80 are set-into corresponding pairs of adjacent pins 82 projecting from fly wheel 18. Fly-wheel 10 is accordingly rotated by the coupling between leaf springs 80 and the driven block 81. Irregularities in speed are filtered by the elastic or compliant action of springs 80.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modified form of the sound reproducingapparatus illustrated in Figures 9 to 13, further showing the preferred electrical circuit arrangement therefor. The. synchronous motor 18' is connected to an electrical outlet plug 83 by conductor 13. The motor shaft 14 is connected to flywheel 10 by reduction gearing schematically shown by 84. The drive shaft 66' is directly connected to drive roller 35 which co-acts with a follower not shown, behind roller 35 to feed sound strip 23 at a constant speed by friction. In this modification, the sound record 23 is shifted and the scanner mechanism 43 is stationary. Accordingly, the cross section of drive shaft 66' is square so that the drive roller 35 may be moved along the shaft 66' while maintaining a driving connection th reto.

An annula groove 85 is cut into the supported end of drive roller 35 and set into a support plate 86. Guide 81 accurately guides the record'strip 23-past the scanning mechanism 43. Due to the perforations defining the parallel edges of the record-strip 23, the positions of the sound tracks 22 are accurately predetermined since their distance from the scored or perforated edges of the strip 23 arealso predetermined, as described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 hereinabove. Guide 81 is' also supported upon plate 89. A transverse movement of plate 86 will carry the drive roller, 35, follower (not shown), guide 81 and the record strip 23 transverse to the scanning nism is actuated by relay magnet 6| operating on armature 60 connected to pawl 51. The shifter relay circuit'is similar to the above described circuit bearing the same numerals, and comprises the switch lever 53, switch 52 and electromotive force 84. The notch 25 set on one side of the record strip 23 at the beginning-end section 23a permits thevswitch' lever 53 to be moved by spring 53' to close the relay SI circuit so that armature 60 will be attracted and subsequently released to permit the sound strip 23 to be shifted to the right by distance equal to the width of a sound track 22. The shifting operation, ac-

cordingly, permits the scanning of the soundtracks to continue on the next adjacent sound track (to the left) at the moment notch 25 reaches the follower 53a on switch arm 53 as will now be evident and the beam passes the boundary 23a.

The scanner 43 of this modification is stationary and the sound strip 23 is shifted. A stationary position of the sensitive photoelectric cell 48 and the light beam is a quieter method of per-- forming the track shifting'continuity as compared to the modification of Figures 9 to 13 where the electro-optical system is shifted. Shifting of the electro-opticalsystem invariably means a thump or noise due to the inherent jarring thereof whereas shifting of the sound strip is accompanied by negligible noise. The filament 45 of the .exciter lamp 45 is preferably heated by a step-down transformer 90 connected by leads 9I to the outlet plug 83'when an alternating current source is used. It is 'to be understood that my present invention is not limited to alternating current in application, but direct current energy for driving the motor I0 and operating the lamp 45 and amplifier equipment may be used.

I prefer to include a pro-amplifier 92 directly connected to the photo-electric cell 48 circuit to amplify the low' intensity current variations of the cell 48- to an appreciable value at the output 93 of amplifier 92-1 amplifier 92 is an audio frequency corresponding to the sound to be reproduced from the record being scanned as will be understood by those ski led in the art. The output 93 is preferably connected to a telephone plug 94 for insertion into a jack connected to a suitable audio frequency amplifying outfit. Audio frequency amplifier 95 is shown having a jack 96 connected to the input thereof so thatthe insert of plug 94 into jack 96 will connect the output 93 of pre-amplifier 92 to the audio amplifier section 95. The output of audio frequency amplifier 95 is connected to a sound record.

The electrical output 93 of integral with the recording apparatus, and sold as a unitary structure, it is preferable to manufacture them separately so that a home radio broadcast receiver such as receiver 98 may be employed to save the expense of the amplifier 95 and speaker 91. A simple jack 99 connection to the audio frequency section of thereceiver 98, well known to those skilled in the radio art, provides a means for simply connecting the output of pre-amplifier 92 to the receiver 98 by the telephone plug 94. The connection between the preamplifier 92 and the radio receiver 98 may be made at the phonograph input connections which most modern radio receivers provide.

The sound strips described in connection with Figures 1 to 8 and employed in the recording apparatus hereinabove described, may be sold to the public in inexpensive book or magazine form, particularly useful for educational and amusement features for children. Geography, history and fiction may be readily conveyed in an interesting manner to children having the sound recording apparatus which they could also use for v the daily and Sunday comic sections provided by the newspaper. Whole stories may be out out and pasted together in sound record form for the enjoyment and entertainment of the youngsters. When lengthy stories or books are to berecorded by the printed, opaque sound strips of my presvent'invention, it -is preferable to use a long reel sold in reel form ready for insertion in suitable recording apparatus to be hereinafter described. This reel may preferably have sprocket perforations adjacent the edges for positive feeding through the. apparatus similar to moving picture film. However, frictional feeding as herein described is entirely feasible. The talking book is particularly useful for' blind people who may readily learn to operate the recording apparatus unaided.

Figures 15 to 22 illustrate a modified form of the sound-reproducing apparatus employing a long sound record reel. This modification employs sprocket feeding for the sound strip I00 which contains squareholes IN to coact with the sprocket drive roller I02. When one end of the reel is reached, means are provided for automatically reversing the direction of feed of the sound strip I00 andsimultaneously shifting the strip so that the next adjacent-sound track will be opposite the scanning mechanism for continuing the sound reproduction.

Referring to Figure 15, the sound strip I00 is shown rolled up in a reel I03 on the lower spool- I04. The position illustrated is when the upper reel spool I05 has been unwound and the feed direction is about to be reversed.- The sound strip I00 is threaded about drive sprocket roller-102 between idler roller I06 and I01 and around .guide drum I08. The scanner mechanism H0 is similar to the scanner mechanism 43 hereinabove described and comprises anexciter lamp III and photo-electric cell H2 focused upon the sound strip I00. In this modification, the track shifting mechanism H3 is designed to shift the strip I00 and its associated feeding mechanism in response to the shifting impulse in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Figure 16 is a partial plan view of this modification. The apparatus is mounted on a cast iron 'base H4 and is driven by an electric motor II5 preferably of the synchronous type. The motor- Il5 drives the pulleylli andbelt III. Pulley I. I 6 in turn drives the differentially arranged bevel gears I 'I .I.9--' I20. Fly-wheels HI and I22.

the film reversal drive arrangement. Fly-wheels I2I' and I22 are respectively keyed to sleeves I23 and I24. 5 Sleeves I23 and I24 are rotatably mounted on shaft I25. Bevel gear I I9 isrotatably mounted on sleeve I23 and is compliantly keyed to fly-wheel I22 by a leaf spring connection I26 similar to the connection 18 hereinabove described in connection with Figure 13. Bevel gear I20 is similarly rotatably mounted on sleeve I24 and connected to fly-wheel I22 by a leaf spring connection I21.

A positive clutch I28 is located between the bevelled gears H9 and I20 toselectively engage and be driven by either one in response to record reversing impulses to be described. The positive clutch H8 is slidably keyed by feather keys I30 to shaft I 25. mounted at an end of lever I33 in yoke I34 so that it is free to be rotated with respect to lever I33 and also move into engagement with bevel gear H9 or I20. The hub of bevel gears H9 and I20 respectively contain teeth I3I and I32 for coacting with the corresponding teeth of clutch member I28. The illustrations show clutch member I28 engaged with bevelled gear I20 so that the shaft I25 is positively driven by bevel gear I20 in the corresponding direction of rotation.

A drive shaft I25 is connected to pulleys I34 and I35 which selectively drive the reel spools I04 and I05. Pulleys I34 and I35 are connected to shaft I25 by a simple clutch arrangement which maintains apositive driving connection with one pulley when shaft I25 turns in one direction, being free of the other; and when shaft I25 .reverses its direction of rotation, the idle pulley will beengaged and the other pulley will become disengaged. Figure 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through pulley I35 showing pins I 39 and biasing springs I39 on opposite sides of a head I38 projecting from shaft I25. The springs I39 mechanically bias the pins or rollers I33 to a wider space so that the pulley becomes disengaged when the shaft I 25 rotates clockwise. However, when shaft I 25 rotates counterclockwise, the pins I36 positively gripthe inner surface of pulley I35 and shaft I25 to rotate the pulley. Pulley I34 is similar to I35 except that it will engage and disengage for opposite rotations of shaft I 25.

Pulley I34 drives lower spool I04 by means of a flexible belt I36. Belt I36 is preferably a wire belt to permit slippage between the drive pulley I34 and the driven pulley I40. The slippage is required when reverse rotation: of the feeding takes place and the spool is suddenly forced to drive in an opposite direction as will be explained. The upper spool I05 is similarly driven by flexible belt I31 connected to drive pulley I35. Accordingly, when shaft I25 is rotated in one direction, a corresponding spool is engaged and rotated to wind-up a reel of the sound strip I in a direction corresponding to the feeding direction imparted to the strip I00 by the sprocket drive roller I02. When a reversal impulse shifts the clutch I28 to the opposite drive direction, the ro tation of shaft I25 is immediately reversed and the drive pulley previously engaged 18001 185 .1

Clutch member I28 is rotatably.

engagedyand the seconddrive pulley becomes engaged to rotate the opposite reel for windingup the sound strip I00.

The film I00 is positively driven by the sprocket roller I02, the respective reels I04 and I05 serving to wind-up the film in a reel I03 for suitable handling or transportation thereof. Any differential speed between the reel I03 as being Wound by the corresponding spool, and the strip I00 at the drive sprocket I 02, is taken up or compensated by the slippage referred to at the flexible belting I36 and I31. The sprocket roller I02 is connected to drive rod I25 by a splined ,extension I4I. Sprocket roller I02 is pinned to a rod I42 having an extension I43 co-acting with the splined extension MI. The splined relation between shaft I 25 and sprocket roller I02 permits a positive rotative action therebetween and also permits a transverse shifting of the sprocket and feed mechanism for the film I00 in response to a shifting impulse to be described.

The rod .I42 supporting sprocket roller I02 is mounted in a plate member I44 supported on a movable bed I45. The step by step shifting mechanism I I3 is similar in construction to the escapeconnection with Figures 9 through 13. The double pawl I46 engages the rack I41 attached to the bottom of bed I 45. A spring I 48 presses against a pin I50 attached to the plate I44. Plate I44 is, accordingly, mechanically biased to the right by spring l48 and normally held against movement by the escapement mechanism II3. An electrical impulse sent through magnet I5I from battery I52 attracts armature I53 of pawl I46 against the action of spring I54 to permit the bed plate I45 to move a distance equal to one tooth of rack I41. The movement of bed I45 to the right carries with it the sprocket roller I02 and associated follower or presser rollers I06 and I01 and the guide drum I08. The drive connec tion of'sprocke't roller I 02 and shaft I25 is uninterrupted at the splined connection. The record strip I00 is, accordingly, shifted to the right by a distance equal to the width between the sound tracks printed thereon so that the next adjacent sound track is moved into position opposite the scanner means H0.

The shifting impulse is imparted by a predetermined portion of the sound strip I00 near each end of the strip. I have illustrated the simple notch I 56 and I56 near opposite ends of the record strip I00 to effect the shifting and reversal impulses. A relay switch I51 operates the electrical circuit for providing the electrical impulses. A blade I58 ofswitch I51 contains a follower I59 which continually acts against one edge ofthe sound strip I00. In the illustrated position sound strip I00 has been traveling toward the left and notch I56 has reached the.

position opposite follower I59 to permit relay switch I51 to close the circuit including battery I52. When the relay I51 is closed an electrical impulse flows through relay I5I to attract armature I53 and effect a single step escapement or shifting of the sound strip I00; an electrical im-- '25 ment mechanism 5| hereinabove, described in I20. Figure 17 illustrates the mechanism at the time of reversal of moveme'nt'and shifting of sound strip I in response to the notch I56 ac- .tion on switch follower I59. I have preferred to use a snap switch or lever arrangement I63 at the end of lever I33 in order to effect a substantially instantaneous reversal at clutch I28.

When the sound strip reaches the opposite end and notch I56 comes in position near the switch followers, the mechanism is prepared to reverse step to the right. I prefer to employ -a second relay switch I64 having an independent follower I65 spacedfrom thefirst follower I59. The distance' between switch followers I59 and I65 is designed so that the reversal of feeding will occur before the notch I56 can pass from one follower to the next. In other words, the distance between theswitch followers is designed to effect the actuation of both switches I51 and I64 by either, of the notches I56 or I56. Accordingly, notch I56 will actuate switch follower I65 when the leftend portion of the film strip passes in front of the scanning means I I0. When switch 7 I64 is closed relay Ii efiects a step of shifting at the escapement mechanism I I3 and relay I66 attracts armature I62 to engage positive clutch I28 with the bevel gear II9 -to substantially instantaneously reverse the direction of rotation of shaft I25. The sound strip I00 will then continue to be scanned in the same direction as the original motion described, with the third track being scanned instead ofthe first. The cycle of reversal of feed and shifting is similarly repeated as the strip is fed in front of the scanning mechanism IIO between notches I56 and I56. The position of notches I56 and I56 upon strip I00 is predetermined with respect to the position of followers I59 and I65 on the guide drum I08, and the position of the edge of the sound tracks on the strip I00.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along I8-I8 on Figure 16, being an elevation of the relay switches I51 and I64 and the guide drum I08.

A modified arrangement of the switch followers I59 and I65 is illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. Notches I56a and I56a are placed on opposite sides of the strip I00. The switch followers I59 and I65 are-placed in opposed relation along opposite edges of strip I00. The reversal .of strip I00 need not be performed in the very short interval necessary for proper operation of the modification shown in Figures 17 and 18 and, accordingly, the notches I56a and I560. are shown longer than the corresponding notches I56 and I56. Each notch can only actuate its associated relay. The electrical actions and functions of the relays illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 are identical to those illustrated in Figures 1'1 and 18.

The design of the sound reproducing apparatus illustrated in Figures 23 to 26 is simplified to reduce the expense in manufacturing and assembling the component parts. A manual drive is substituted for the electric motor. A mechanical shifting arrangement, directly actuated by the predetermined portion of the soundstrip controls the step-by-step escapement or shifting means instead of the electrical relay arrangement hereinabove described.

The sound strip I61 is joined to form an endless strip similar to the strip 23 of Figure 6.

' Strip I61 is inserted about guide member I68 in position the feeding direction and shift the strip one more A spring I94 connects between drive roller I69 and follower I10,'looped around the adjustable wire support "I and held against a portion of guide members I68 by spring I13. The position of.wire I1I is'adjustable in bracket I14 and fastened by .thumb screw I15 therein. The sound strip I61 is fed past the scanning mechanism I11 by frictional engageby shoe I12 mechanically biased mentof the drive roller I69 and follower I10.

Drive roller I69 ispreferably mounted ona square shaft I18 to permit the shifting of the sound strip I61 and associated feeding mecha-',

nism in response to 'the mechanical shifting operation.

The strip feeding members are supported upon upright I19 which extends from bed plate I80. Bed plate I80 contains a dovetail slide I8I engaging with a corresponding groove in bracket I82. The strip feeding mechanism is a'ccordingly movableon supporting bracket I82 transverse to the stationary scanning system I11.

Figure is the partial cross-sectional view taken along 25 -25 of Figure 23 to more clearly illustrate details of'the shifting means I83. The drive roller I69 is slidably mounted on square shaft I18 and rotatably supported in upright. I19.

An extension ofroller I69 projects beyond upright I19. A spring I84 is placed between the head I85 of roller- I69 extension and the upright I19 to accurately maintain the;relative position between the roller I69 and the shiftingmechanism. Drive roller I69 "is moved transverse to the scanning direction slidably upon the square shaft I18. The notch I81 formed at a predetermined portion of sound strip I61 permits the follower I88 to be displaced fromits normal position and in turn actuate the shifter escapement mechanism I18.

Follower I88 is mounted at one end of the actuating lever I89. Lever I89 is supported upon gear I90 on upright I19. A compound-curve is formed at the end of lever I89 containing the follower I88 so that when follower I88 is depressed when notch I'81 reaches it, a twist of the body of rod I89 occurs. A spring I9I mechanically biases-one section of the compound curved portion of lever I89 to effect a twist of the lever =wh'en notch I81 is reached.

The opposite end of lever I89 is secured to-a double pawl I92 most clearly illustrated in Figure 26 The double pawl I92 engages the rack I98 secured to the bottom of the bed plate I80.

two pins I95-I96 proplate I80.; and bracket I82 respectively. Spring I94 accordingly mechanicallybiases bed plate I80 and the strip feeding mechanism toward the right. The 'escapement members co'nsist primarily of double pawl I92 and rack I93 maintains the strip feeding mecha-. nism in stationary relationship with respect to the scanning means I11 and permits a shift of the strip to the rightwhen the follower I88 engages with notch I81 as will now be evident.

The square-shaft I18 is directly connected to the hand lever I91 and is supported by a bracket I91a. A fly-wheel I98 is pinned to the square shaft I18 to steady any fluctuations in the driving eifort. g

The pre-amplifier is preferably located within the supporting structure for the scanner mechanism I11. The ire-amplifier I99 is schematically indicated in Figure 23 as comprising two amplifler tubes mounted on a sub-panel. j The preamplifier section I 99 is adjacent the photo-electric jecting from the bed the threaded portion of feed screw 2l3.

cell which collects the refracted light in a manner hereinabove described. Y

Figures 27 to 30 inclusive relate to a modified form of my present invention wherein the stepby-step shifting operation is eliminated. The sound record of this modification consists of a plurality of sound tracks 200 arranged at an angle to the edge of the carrier sheet 20l and sides 202 of the record strip 203. v

Figure'27 is an enlarged partial illustration of such a record-strip, corresponding to the single strip l4 described in connection with Figures 1, 2, and 3. The sound strip 203 is severed from the sheet carrier 20l in a similar manner. The length of strip 203 is predetermined so that when formed into an endless strip by securing end 204 beneath the opposite end of the strip, the sound tracks will form a continuous helix. Figure 28 illustrates the endless form into which sound strip 203 is made. The beginning-ending section 205 of the band 203 joins the parallel sound tracks 200 into a continuous single helical sound track. No notch or other shifter actuating means need be employed in this modification.

The sound recording device of this modification is similar to the mechanism illustrated in Figures 23 to 26 hereinabove. Figure 29 corresponds to the view of Figure 25 of the preceding modification; The hand lever 206 is used to rotate fiywheel 201 and squareshaft 208. The drive roller 2l0 is mounted upon upright 2| I in a manner similar to the mounting of the roller I69.

The strip feeding mechanism, mounted upon upright 2, is fed at a constant rate transverse to the scanning mechanism (not shown). A pinion H2 is mounted on the drive shaft 208 for motivating the feed screw 2l3. Feed screw M3 is connected to a gear 2 connected with pinion 2l2. An extension of bed plate 2| 5 coacts with Bed 2I5 rides in a dove-tailed bracket support 215.

The transverse movement of bed plate 2l5 carries with it the upright'2ll of the strip feeding mechanism. The rate of feed of the strip 203 across the scanning beam is predetermined in accordance with the pitch of the helical arrangement of the sound tracks 200. Figure 30 is an end view of the upright 2H coacting with the bracket 2H5.

A furthermodification for a simple inexpensive sound recording mechanism useful for printed sound records is illustrated in Figures 31 to 33. This modification is used in conjunction withthe sound sheet 28 hereinabove described in connection with Figures '7 and 3. The sound sheet 28 is mounted upon a cylindrical drum 225 so thatthe opposite ends of the tracks 30 are placed in proper positionfto form a continuous spiral orhelix of the sound record. This simplified mechanism may be driven by a hand lever 225. The massof the drum 225 serves. the purpose of a fly-wheel for steadying the rotative efforts of the operator. It is to be understood that an electric motor drive may be employed for this modification.

The sheet 20 is a predetermined size to smoothly fit -upon the surface of drum 225. The

electro-optical scanning means 221 is mounted on a dove-tailed slide 228 and driven at a predetermined'rate parallel to the axis of the drum 225 by feed-screw 230. The electrical connections to the electro-optical scanners 221 are made by a flexible cable 23L Reduction gearing 232 connects the.drum 225 with the feed screw 230 to maintain a predetermined rate of scanning is not illustrated.

Figure 32 is an end view of the drum sound reproducer illustrating the relation of the scanner 221 with the drum 225. The light beam emanates from the lens system 234 perpendicular to the drum 225. The photoelectric call 235 collects a portion of the light refracted from the sound sheet 228 in a manner already described.

It is advisable that the sound sheet- 221 be mounted upon drum 225 with a minimum dead" portion. In my preferred i1lustration, I show a clip 236 insertable in a corresponding slot 231 of the drum 225. The clip 23!; extends across the length of the slot and contains two opposed sides 231, 238 which are crimped and spring biased outwardly. The ends 3| and 32 of the sheet 28 correspond to the darkened regions illustrated in Figure 7, and are inserted into the slot 231 of the drum 225. The sheet is smoothed around the drum surface and the clip 235 is inserted into the slot to hold the sheet firmly in position by spring action against the edges of the slot. The width of clip 236 is made as narrow as feasible. The outer surface of clip 235 is blackened so asnot to create a sound impulse when passing across the scanning beam.

Although I have described the sound sheet 28 containing the parallel lines 30 as being a portion of a newspaper, it is to be understood that these sheets may be sold inmagazineform,removable by youngsters or blind individuals for reproduction upon the drum apparatus corresponding to the modification herein described in connection with Figures 31 to 33. The speed of rotation of the apparatus is readily determined by the operator after a'few trials since the maintenance of the quality of the sound reproduction is the best indication of the correct speed. When a synchronous motor is used, the speed, however, automatically is maintained.

Although I have illustrated preferred forms which the sound records and reproducing apparatus therefor may take, it is to be understood that. further modifications and changes may be made by those' skilled in the art without departing from the broader spirit and scope of my present invention, and accordingly I do not intend to be limited except as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with mechanism for feeda single sound track, photo-electric means for translating light from the strip into electrical currents, and means for acoustically transforming said currents; and means responsive to a notch on said strip for moving the next adjacent parallel sound track to a position opposite said scanning beam, including a device for, shifting said'strip feeding mechanism transverse to said scanning means step by step, the distance of each 

